What are they?

The Habits of Mind are described as "dispositions that are skillfully and mindfully employed by characteristically intelligent, successful people when they are confronted with problems, the solution to which are not immediately apparent". Source: Habits of MInd

This means that people who are characteristically intelligent use a series of dispositions or habits to solve problems that may not be obvious to solve. They use these habits to work through problems rather than "giving up" easily.

Who is Art Costa?

Art Costa is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the California State University, Sacremento. He is the co-founder of the Habits of Mind Institute. Art Costa believes that there are habits of the mind that people adopt when solving problems. He states that this is not a finished list by any means, but through research these habits are ones displayed by characteristically intelligent people when faced with solving a problem that doesn't have an obvious answer. These habits are skills and strategies people use to solve difficult problems that they face in their own lives on a day to day basis and help them to make decisions that are right for them. They are dispositions that can help destress a situation that may be difficult to deal with.

The habits of mind help students to become thinkers rather than regurgitators of knowledge. Both children and adults can be taught to use the habits of mind and can learn to use them when faced with ambiguity, dilemmas, and paradoxes, and when solving complex intellectual, emotional or social problems.

There are a lot of youtube clips showing Art Costa discussing the habits of mind. Here is one you may find interesting:

The Habits of Mind

Persisting

Keep working on what you are doing and don't give in. Stick to it to achieve the result you are after.

Communicating with Clarity and Precision

Be very clear about what you are trying to get across. Make sure your ideas are clearly and precisely displayed.

Managing Impulsivity

Make sure you take your time with whatever it is you are doing. Don't make snap decisions, take your time to come up with a solution that is right for the situation.

Gathering Data Through All Senses

Use all of your sensory pathways to gather the information around you. Those that are more aware of the environment through using all senses are more able to absorb information than those that "look" narrowly at a problem.

Listening With Understanding and Empathy

Listen to and understand other people's points of view. You may disagree with the person but by being empathetic to their point of view gives you a greater understanding of where they are coming from. This is a very complex skill.

Creating, Imaging and Innovating

Try thinking of other ways to solve a problem. Be creative, use or imagination and come up with new and different solutions.

Thinking flexibly

Look at things in another way. Consider other people's points of view or perspectives. To think flexibly means also that you are prepared to change your mind if you get new information.

Responding With Wonderment and Awe

Have fun figuring things out! Find the world awesome, mysterious and be intrigued with things around you. Look for those unanswered questions and go figure!

Thinking About Your Thinking

Be aware of what you are thinking, how you are thinking, what strategies you are using, what your feelings are, what actions you are taking and how these affect you and others. Know your own knowing!

Taking Responsible Risks

Venture out and take those risks. Take risks in your learning. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Try new things all the time. Keep right at the edge of your own competence.

Striving for Accuracy and Precision

Always do your best. Strive to set high standards for yourself and keep to them. Look for ways to improve what you are doing or who you are all the time. Be precise with your learning. Think about gaps in your learning and strive to fill those gaps.

Finding Humour

Be able to laugh at yourself. Look for chances to laugh and have fun. Keep humour at the forefront of your relationship with others. Know when to laugh at and with others.

Questioning and Problem Posing

Always ask questions to ascertain information or solve problems. Know what information is needed and find different strategies to ask the appropriate questions. Find problems to solve.

Thinking Interdependently

Be able to work together as a team. Co-operate with others. Be able to learn from others and have them learn from you in a reciprocal manner.

Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations

Use what you already know and apply it to a new situations so that you are always developing new skills and understandings. Transfer your knowledge to what you are doing.

Remaining Open to Continuous Learning

Learn from all of your experiences. Be able to be proud of not always knowing the answers or be humble when admitting you don't know something. Be prepared to have an open mind and learn whenever you can.